Airbus in India | Helicopters

Airbus has been leading the domestic and para-public helicopter market and was the first foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer to set up a customer centre for the Indian market.

Airbus Helicopters was the first foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to set up since 2010 a customer centre dedicated to the Indian market with presence in key cities across the country.

Airbus has been leading the domestic civil and parapublic helicopter market since 2010, accounting for more than half of the new registered deliveries. Currently, there are more than 100 Airbus helicopters, including best-in-class platforms such as H125, H130, H135, Dauphin and the recently delivered H145s that are used by operators throughout India, particularly in the Oil and Gas, Commercial and Business aviation segments. Pawan Hans, the national helicopter operator, owns the world’s largest fleet of civil Dauphin helicopters.

Airbus is bringing the latest generation technology to India, which can help develop local knowhow while enhancing safety standards. The first H130s were inducted in 2015 in India and have performed outstandingly, setting new standards in the single-engine segment in hot and high environments. Airbus delivered India’s first fully customised, ACH135 in 2022 to Hyderabad Airlines. This marks the entry of the ACH135 which is expected to become a highly successful twin-engine helicopter into India’s private and business aviation market. Airbus qualified the H145D3 (five bladed version) in 2022 for ONGC offshore operations. First operations are expected in 2023.

Airbus is also playing an active role in developing new market segments in India such as Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), Airborne Law Enforcement (ALE), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Power Transmission lines stringing, security, Aerial Works, etc. Recently, the first official HEMS service was launched in India by the state of Karnataka, followed by the AIIMS hospital in Dehradun, using Airbus H130 helicopters. Supported by a team of highly trained professionals based in India, Airbus provides a full suite of support and services – spares & logistics, technical assistance, maintenance, training, retrofit and customisation – to its customers in India.

On the military side, Airbus has a rich history of industrial collaboration with the Indian industry. In 1962 Airbus Helicopters signed an initial license agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) allowing the latter to locally manufacture the Alouette III rotorcraft. In 1970, this agreement was expanded to include the production of Lama helicopters. These helicopters are known In India as Chetak and Cheetah respectively. Till date, HAL has produced more than 600 of them. Later on, Airbus provided engineering assistance to HAL to develop the ALH Dhruv. This cooperation’s legacy allows Airbus Helicopters to welcome the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ drive of the Indian Government and is willing to implement an industrial footprint in partnership with the Indian private sector to answer the vast needs of the Indian Armed forces and has the potential to address regional requirements.